Synthesis of Fe3O4/CD magnetic nanocomposite via low temperature plasma technique with high enrichment of Ni(II) from aqueous solution

•Special Fe3O4/CD nanocomposite was prepared by low-temperature plasma technique.•Fe3O4/CD nanocomposite showed favorable adsorption efficiency towards Ni(II) ions.•Fe3O4/CD nanocomposite can be easily separated using an external magnet.•Fe3O4/CD nanocomposite can be repeatedly applied in cost-effective disposal of Ni(II)-bearing wastewater.

Herein, β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) was conjugated on the surfaces of Fe3O4 particles to synthesize magnetic Fe3O4/CD nanocomposite using a novel low temperature plasma technique. The Fe3O4/CD samples were applied in the removal of radionuclides and heavy metal ions contaminations from aqueous solutions. The synthesized Fe3O4/CD nanocomposite which showed high saturation magnetization could be likely separated by using an external magnet. The adsorption performance and underlying mechanism of Fe3O4/CD nanocomposite toward nickel ions were studied using batch technique. The adsorption kinetic of nickel ions on Fe3O4/CD surfaces could be obtained within the time period of 8 h. The surface conjugated CD can obviously improve adsorption performance towards Ni(II) ions. The Fe3O4/CD samples show propitious adsorption property toward Ni(II) ions from wastewater. The experimental findings showed that Fe3O4/CD nanocomposite could be used as a highly effective adsorbent for the removal of Ni(II) ions from large volumes of aqueous solution.

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